Classroom Practices

Teaching Resource: Socratic Discussion

Claire Podulka

Updated November 30, 2018 18:16

Questioning, listening, and connecting to increase understanding

Teachers may facilitate Socratic discussions as one way to connect ideas between learners and elevate students' knowledge of a topic. The teacher or facilitator will open the discussion with a "big question," an open-ended question with many possible answers. Participants respond and then ask questions of one another. The questions and discussions build off the previous participants' ideas. This type of discussion will require participants to question their assumptions and those of fellow participants, to listen deeply, and to provide evidence and reasons. Download everything you need below to facilitate a Socratic discussion in your classroom.